Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure that dangerous prisoners are not (a) released early and (b) allowed into contact with the public.

The Queen’s speech announced that this Government will introduce new sentencing laws to ensure the most dangerous offenders, including terrorists, serve longer in custody. There is already a robust sentencing framework for such dangerous offenders, comprising of life sentences and extended determinate sentences.

In the case of life sentences, offenders can only be considered for release once they have served a minimum ‘tariff’ set by the courts. They are then assessed by the Parole Board, and will only be released when the Board are satisfied that any risk posed to the public can be safely managed in the community. If released, they are then subject to a life licence.

Offenders serving extended determinate sentences may be released at the discretion of the Parole Board between the two thirds point of their custodial term and the end of their custodial term. They are then subject to an extended licence period.

For both groups of offenders, release on licence is granted with strict conditions. Offenders who breach a condition of their licences or who are determined to be at increased risk of reoffending can be recalled to custody at any time.

We are also legislating to deal with the most serious violent and sexual offenders who receive a standard determinate sentence, to end automatic half way release from prison for serious crimes.